As the Debster pointed out, it is actually 8 Days to Vegas...not a week. No use to wait until tomorrow! So, here I go. As of this morning, I am 9 pounds up from my very lowest (which I know wasn't real and was probably some dehydration...blah, blah, blah), but I'm ready to get back to it. I want to lose some of that so I can enjoy Vegas and Long Beach with no guilt.
I'm sad that Jillian (my BodyBugg) is missing, but I'm sure she will turn up soon. I really want to find her by the time my July Fitness Extravaganza starts. In the meantime, I know approximately how many calories I burn in a day with/without exercise, so I will track calories consumed and that should keep me honest.
What is your favorite single serving quick, health-conscious, band-friendly, single serving dinner? I'm good at big dinners that feed me for days, but I'm looking for some quick and delicious things I can make for myself the next few days without having a bunch of leftovers.
BFF & I are going to see Billy Elliot tonight. It looks great!
Hope you are all having a good week. I'm exhausted, but I wouldn't change my life for a second!
HUGS!
Ladybug
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Life is good.
Y'all, I just came from heaven. Seriously, my overnight trip with the girls to the lake was AMAZING! The pictures will not do it justice, but here are a few.
We got there just after lunch time yesterday and after claiming our rooms, we changed to head to the pool. There were enough rooms for us to not have to share, but we decided to bunk in a set of rooms near each other. BFF & I took a double room, Lizard and ShareBear took singles and KK & Rie took the bunk room. The bunk room had three big bunk beds (total of six beds) and was cute as could be.
The house was huge. Upstairs was the main Master Suite which was unbelievable. I would post pictures, but I feel weird posting pictures of someone else's bedroom. :) The main living area was gigantic and had about 4 or 5 independent seating spaces. Each of the spaces was as big as my living room. The kitchen opened into it so it looked even bigger. I don't know how high the ceilings were but it was crazy...20 feet maybe? They were beyond vaulted. It was like the lobby of a hotel almost. The kitchen was decked out with everything including a built-in single serving coffee maker. There was also another bedroom upstairs.
Downstairs, there was a huge gameroom with a large lounging/TV area, pool table, gaming table and shuffleboard. There was also a full bar with a Margaritaville Blender. Sweet! Our bedrooms and some other rooms (like laundry and bath) were down there as well.
The deck went almost the entire way around the house on both levels. It included a Man Cave BBQ area, ping pong table and about 5 or 6 gathering spots with tables/chairs.
There are two waterfalls (one that ends in a pool.) I don't have a picture of the pool, but I know ShareBear took one, so I will have to get a copy. The grounds also included a gazebo with 3 lounging areas and a fireplace (it was a BIG gazebo), a sand volleyball court, basketball/tennis court, horseshoe and archery (?) area, plus paths to ride around in the golf cart to see animals. They have elk (although BFF kept calling them emu...ha!), deer, and longhorns to see.
After playing in the pool and checking out all of the grounds both on foot and via golf cart, ShareBear & I took advantage of the Margaritaville blender and we all lounged and chit-chatted. I couldn't get anyone to play with me. :) But I did enjoy the company. Then we had dinner provided by a personal chef. We had the BEST salad with greens, granny smith apples, mozzerella, pecans, & dijon dressing. DELICIOUS! Dinner was pork loin with pineapple chutney and raspberry chipotle sauce, baked potato casserole, carrot casserole, asparagus, and roll. Dessert was rum cake.
After dinner, we took out the golf carts again. Lizard was a little disturbed when we got chased by the donkeys, but all ended well anyway. We ended the evening lounging in the main living area just chatting and enjoying being together.
Good: I have such a great time. The place was beautiful and amazing AND my friends are precious to me.
Bad: I ate and drank like crap. The 10 Days to Vegas Challenge is going to modified to a Week to Vegas Challenge! Whoops! :) But I wouldn't change anything for the world.
Have a great week!
HUGS!
 |
| BFF in the golf cart we used to ride around the grounds and check in on the animals. |
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| Part of the beautiful landscaping. |
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| The "backyard". |
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| The "frontyard". |
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| The main gate to the house. |
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| View from the front. |
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| A small portion of the main living room. |
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| BFF in the kitchen. |
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| Another portion of the main living room. |
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| An elk roaming around the front grounds. |
The house was huge. Upstairs was the main Master Suite which was unbelievable. I would post pictures, but I feel weird posting pictures of someone else's bedroom. :) The main living area was gigantic and had about 4 or 5 independent seating spaces. Each of the spaces was as big as my living room. The kitchen opened into it so it looked even bigger. I don't know how high the ceilings were but it was crazy...20 feet maybe? They were beyond vaulted. It was like the lobby of a hotel almost. The kitchen was decked out with everything including a built-in single serving coffee maker. There was also another bedroom upstairs.
Downstairs, there was a huge gameroom with a large lounging/TV area, pool table, gaming table and shuffleboard. There was also a full bar with a Margaritaville Blender. Sweet! Our bedrooms and some other rooms (like laundry and bath) were down there as well.
The deck went almost the entire way around the house on both levels. It included a Man Cave BBQ area, ping pong table and about 5 or 6 gathering spots with tables/chairs.
There are two waterfalls (one that ends in a pool.) I don't have a picture of the pool, but I know ShareBear took one, so I will have to get a copy. The grounds also included a gazebo with 3 lounging areas and a fireplace (it was a BIG gazebo), a sand volleyball court, basketball/tennis court, horseshoe and archery (?) area, plus paths to ride around in the golf cart to see animals. They have elk (although BFF kept calling them emu...ha!), deer, and longhorns to see.
After playing in the pool and checking out all of the grounds both on foot and via golf cart, ShareBear & I took advantage of the Margaritaville blender and we all lounged and chit-chatted. I couldn't get anyone to play with me. :) But I did enjoy the company. Then we had dinner provided by a personal chef. We had the BEST salad with greens, granny smith apples, mozzerella, pecans, & dijon dressing. DELICIOUS! Dinner was pork loin with pineapple chutney and raspberry chipotle sauce, baked potato casserole, carrot casserole, asparagus, and roll. Dessert was rum cake.
After dinner, we took out the golf carts again. Lizard was a little disturbed when we got chased by the donkeys, but all ended well anyway. We ended the evening lounging in the main living area just chatting and enjoying being together.
Good: I have such a great time. The place was beautiful and amazing AND my friends are precious to me.
Bad: I ate and drank like crap. The 10 Days to Vegas Challenge is going to modified to a Week to Vegas Challenge! Whoops! :) But I wouldn't change anything for the world.
Have a great week!
HUGS!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Weekend update
CrossFit
I gave you an in depth post about CrossFit this weekend. I woke up Sunday barely able to move. Ha! I'm not sure I have EVER been this sore and if so, it has been a LONG time! I went over to Debi's yesterday for some fun, impromptu pool time and it made me feel MUCH better. But by evening, I was limping around like an 80 year old. This morning it is tough too, but I will live. The think I hate is that I will have to start all over in July! Oh well, what doesn't kill you, right?
Birthday
I went on my birthday shopping spree! I took pics! First I went to Nordstrom with my gift certificates and bought some cute shirts. Apparently I was into stripes. Ha!
Finally, I ended at DSW and got a couple of practical shoes for work and a couple of sassy pairs for my upcoming vacations!
YAY!! I LOVE the silver ones and can't wait to wear them. They all seem pretty comfortable as well.
YAY Mavs!! I had a couple friends over to watch the Tony's last night which we had scheduled before the Mavs game was scheduled. So, I started the game very late. I was around halftime when my mom texted me with the results. I was SO MAD!! Mom doesn't even really care about the game. ARRRRGHHHH!!! It took me about a half hour to scrape myself off the ceiling, then I just settled in and enjoyed the celebration. I love it when a true team takes the prize. Delightful!!
Roadtrip
Today, my dinner group (sans Cowgirl that had a family obligation at the last minute) is headed to the lake in a few minutes. I don't think I have even absorbed how amazing this house is going to be. I will try to remember to take pictures!!
Challenge
Today also starts the big challenge I'm doing with the Debster (mentioned above). It is going to be tough until I get back tomorrow around lunchtime, but I will do my best. Have a wonderful day!!
Hugs!!
I gave you an in depth post about CrossFit this weekend. I woke up Sunday barely able to move. Ha! I'm not sure I have EVER been this sore and if so, it has been a LONG time! I went over to Debi's yesterday for some fun, impromptu pool time and it made me feel MUCH better. But by evening, I was limping around like an 80 year old. This morning it is tough too, but I will live. The think I hate is that I will have to start all over in July! Oh well, what doesn't kill you, right?
Birthday
I went on my birthday shopping spree! I took pics! First I went to Nordstrom with my gift certificates and bought some cute shirts. Apparently I was into stripes. Ha!
Then I went to Macy's with yet MORE gift cards and bought a dress.
MavsYAY Mavs!! I had a couple friends over to watch the Tony's last night which we had scheduled before the Mavs game was scheduled. So, I started the game very late. I was around halftime when my mom texted me with the results. I was SO MAD!! Mom doesn't even really care about the game. ARRRRGHHHH!!! It took me about a half hour to scrape myself off the ceiling, then I just settled in and enjoyed the celebration. I love it when a true team takes the prize. Delightful!!
Roadtrip
Today, my dinner group (sans Cowgirl that had a family obligation at the last minute) is headed to the lake in a few minutes. I don't think I have even absorbed how amazing this house is going to be. I will try to remember to take pictures!!
Challenge
Today also starts the big challenge I'm doing with the Debster (mentioned above). It is going to be tough until I get back tomorrow around lunchtime, but I will do my best. Have a wonderful day!!
Hugs!!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Special Saturday CrossFit Edition
I don't usually post on the weekends, but I wanted to tell you all about CrossFit. I woke up about an hour earlier than I needed to because I was in such anticipation. :) It didn't take me as long to get to the gym (it is in a different city) than I thought so I was the first one there. A couple of people walked up soon after and nicely introduced themselves and welcomed me which was really nice.
Soon, the trainer got there and in addition to being extremely hot, he was very welcoming and not like the douchebag trainer I had at the big gym (at least not that I could tell in an hour.) Everyone was friendly and welcoming. Brandon (the trainer) had us stand in a circle and introduce ourselves. There were about 20 people there which they said is a big class.
We picked out our kettlebells before we started and since us newbies were the last to pick, there weren't many left. I got a 10 lb kb and Brandon seemed to think that was right. Honestly, I thought I could go heavier, but the next one left was over 30 lbs, so I didn't argue.
We started with a 400m run. I was the last one to finish (except for a girl getting over bronchitis) and I was a little intimidated. Then we went to warm up. Windmills, jumping jacks (which I remember I couldn't do 80 pounds ago!), little sprints and shuffles, etc. After the warm up, I feel like I had already worked out. Ha!
Brandon went through the day's workout and explained how to do each thing.
30 Burpee Tuck Jumps
20 Double KB Push Press
20 KB Renegade Row
100m Run
20 KB Swings
20 Double KB Front Squat
200m Run
20 Pull-ups
20 Push-ups
20 Sit-ups
100m run
I had to modify a lot. Burpee tuck jumps require you to squat then go to the floor in a push up position, then lower to your belly, push up, then jump to your feet, then do a tuck jump. So...I did squat thrusts. Ha! "Just" doing 30 squat thrusts was ridiculously hard for me.
Next was the KB press and since I only had 10 lbs to lift, it wasn't hard for me. I think that was the easiest piece of the work out. I don't even remember what the Renegade Row was. Ha! As I ran the first 100m run, I felt good.
During the KB swings and squats, my legs were REALLY starting to burn. After I got back from running the 200m, my legs were twitching like crazy!
Obviously, I'm not at the point I can do pull-ups, so I did Ring Rows. I would hold on to the ring as I was leaning backward and I would pull myself up. I actually did two "regular" push ups, but I couldn't touch my stomach to the floor...plus, I could only do two. The rest I did on my knees and I still had to rally to finish them all. Sit-ups were normal and I can do those okay. The last 100m wasn't too bad, especially since I knew I was going to be done. I finished in 17 minutes and wasn't the last person to finish!!
When everyone was done, Brandon mentioned that he forgot that there was supposed to be another 30 Burpees at the end. Ugh! But instead, he wanted to do an Indian Run. Everyone runs single file and the last person runs to the front, when they get there, the person that is now in the back runs to the front, etc. I started out with them, but I was running as fast as I could run just to keep up, so I knew I couldn't get to the front. I bailed and ran/walked back to the gym. I hated that I couldn't keep up, but I was glad I gave it a shot! Now I have something to aspire to. :)
So...I will start my Fundamentals classes on 7/05 (after all of the fun vacations!) I have to work it out though because I have to go every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in July. Since I work at Jazzercise on Thursday, I'm going to have to do some work arounds. I have asked another Jazzercise class manager to switch with me so I can work Wednesdays in July instead of Thursdays, but I have no idea if she will be able to do it. I love Jazzercise so much, that I want to do both. Maybe if she can't switch, I can get subs. It is just for a month, then I can go to a flexible schedule.
If it all works out, in July, I will be working out 5-6 times per week.
Monday-Jazzercise
Tuesday-CrossFit (plus walking with Godmother at lunch)
Wednesday-Jazzercise
Thursday-CrossFit
Friday-break
Saturday-CrossFit
Sunday-break
Whew! But that should break my plateau, right?! Once the Fundamentals class ends, I can be a little more flexible and I can worry about my schedule later.
I have just over three weeks to get myself mentally prepared. :)
Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. I'm going out to TMS tonight for the IndyCar race. Go Andretti Autosports!!
Hugs!
Soon, the trainer got there and in addition to being extremely hot, he was very welcoming and not like the douchebag trainer I had at the big gym (at least not that I could tell in an hour.) Everyone was friendly and welcoming. Brandon (the trainer) had us stand in a circle and introduce ourselves. There were about 20 people there which they said is a big class.
We picked out our kettlebells before we started and since us newbies were the last to pick, there weren't many left. I got a 10 lb kb and Brandon seemed to think that was right. Honestly, I thought I could go heavier, but the next one left was over 30 lbs, so I didn't argue.
We started with a 400m run. I was the last one to finish (except for a girl getting over bronchitis) and I was a little intimidated. Then we went to warm up. Windmills, jumping jacks (which I remember I couldn't do 80 pounds ago!), little sprints and shuffles, etc. After the warm up, I feel like I had already worked out. Ha!
Brandon went through the day's workout and explained how to do each thing.
30 Burpee Tuck Jumps
20 Double KB Push Press
20 KB Renegade Row
100m Run
20 KB Swings
20 Double KB Front Squat
200m Run
20 Pull-ups
20 Push-ups
20 Sit-ups
100m run
I had to modify a lot. Burpee tuck jumps require you to squat then go to the floor in a push up position, then lower to your belly, push up, then jump to your feet, then do a tuck jump. So...I did squat thrusts. Ha! "Just" doing 30 squat thrusts was ridiculously hard for me.
Next was the KB press and since I only had 10 lbs to lift, it wasn't hard for me. I think that was the easiest piece of the work out. I don't even remember what the Renegade Row was. Ha! As I ran the first 100m run, I felt good.
During the KB swings and squats, my legs were REALLY starting to burn. After I got back from running the 200m, my legs were twitching like crazy!
Obviously, I'm not at the point I can do pull-ups, so I did Ring Rows. I would hold on to the ring as I was leaning backward and I would pull myself up. I actually did two "regular" push ups, but I couldn't touch my stomach to the floor...plus, I could only do two. The rest I did on my knees and I still had to rally to finish them all. Sit-ups were normal and I can do those okay. The last 100m wasn't too bad, especially since I knew I was going to be done. I finished in 17 minutes and wasn't the last person to finish!!
When everyone was done, Brandon mentioned that he forgot that there was supposed to be another 30 Burpees at the end. Ugh! But instead, he wanted to do an Indian Run. Everyone runs single file and the last person runs to the front, when they get there, the person that is now in the back runs to the front, etc. I started out with them, but I was running as fast as I could run just to keep up, so I knew I couldn't get to the front. I bailed and ran/walked back to the gym. I hated that I couldn't keep up, but I was glad I gave it a shot! Now I have something to aspire to. :)
So...I will start my Fundamentals classes on 7/05 (after all of the fun vacations!) I have to work it out though because I have to go every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in July. Since I work at Jazzercise on Thursday, I'm going to have to do some work arounds. I have asked another Jazzercise class manager to switch with me so I can work Wednesdays in July instead of Thursdays, but I have no idea if she will be able to do it. I love Jazzercise so much, that I want to do both. Maybe if she can't switch, I can get subs. It is just for a month, then I can go to a flexible schedule.
If it all works out, in July, I will be working out 5-6 times per week.
Monday-Jazzercise
Tuesday-CrossFit (plus walking with Godmother at lunch)
Wednesday-Jazzercise
Thursday-CrossFit
Friday-break
Saturday-CrossFit
Sunday-break
Whew! But that should break my plateau, right?! Once the Fundamentals class ends, I can be a little more flexible and I can worry about my schedule later.
I have just over three weeks to get myself mentally prepared. :)
Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. I'm going out to TMS tonight for the IndyCar race. Go Andretti Autosports!!
Hugs!
Friday, June 10, 2011
BYOC
It’s Friday so that means it’s BYOC day – Bring Your Own Crazy….to five questions we all answer in an effort to get to know each other better and to give our blog brains a break! Copy and paste to your own blog and ENJOY!
1. How and why did you first start blogging? And how long have you been blogging?
When I first started researching Lap Band, I went to the Lap Band Talk website. I started a blog there and my biggest inspiration to continue blogging during that six months was Band Groupie. She went on to do her own blog on Blogger, but I was too intimidated to branch out like that. I remember reading everyone's blogs talking about going to the first BOOBs get together and I was jealous. :)
A year after my surgery, I decided that my blog had become very important to me so I ventured out to Blogger and set one up. Honestly, I really thought that only my mom would read it. :) Never did I imagine that I would have over 100 followers in less than 6 months. I can't believe anyone would want to read this...but then I remember how much I love reading everyone else's. Many of you out there I consider true friends and I ::heart:: you bunches!!
2. Tell me about your perfect mate – if you could invent him/her?
I have no idea. I THINK I would like a guy that could go to work in a professional environment and come home and get his hands dirty. I want someone that likes to get out and go, but also enjoys a nice quiet night at home every now and again. I want someone who likes to try new things and isn't stuck in a rut all the time. It would be super awesome if I found some who like going to the theater (almost) as much as going to sporting events, but think I have come to terms that won't happen. But maybe someone who would go to the theater (and enjoy it) every once in a while because he knows how much I love it.
I want someone that is kind but not clingy. Someone who is happy and looking for someone to enhance his life.
This all coming from a girl who has never really had a boyfriend, so there you go. Who knows.
3. Do you wear fake eyelashes? Do you want to? Do you use glue or self-stick ones? Do you like how they look?
I wore them once for a friend's wedding and I thought they looked cool. I wasn't able to put them on myself, my friend did it. But I think I could learn. I have decent lashes, so it isn't worth the hassle to me. But if they are done right, I think they look nice. Although, if they aren't done well, they can come off as drag queenesque.
4. Let’s say money was no object and neither was time off to recover – are you an advocate of plastic surgery after weight loss?
I don't know if I would say advocate, but I'm certainly not opposed to it. I think everyone has a different situation and they have to choose what is right for themselves. Right now, my plan is to wait a while and see what my body does. I don't have super big folds around my belly that would cause problems. I just have saggy skin everywhere that is cosmetically unappealing. If when all the dust settles, I want something done, then I will do it. I won't post it on my Facebook page or anything, but if asked, I'm sure I would tell.
5. Repeat question. Summarize your week in blog land and in real life.
• Blog life is good in that I feel I'm really getting to know quite a few people. My job and life have gotten in the way of reading regularly, but I try to keep up as much as possible. I'm sure people just love my 3 and 4 day old comments. :)
• Real life is AMAZING! We leave work this afternoon to go to the track for IndyCar qualifying. Tonight is the Truck race. Tomorrow I try CrossFit!! Then the IndyCar race is that night. Sunday morning I am a Eucharistic Minister at church (I should be wide awake for that!) then I'm cooking dinner for a couple of friends that are coming over to watch the Tony's (although some of it might be preempted for a little basketball game that is going on that night in Miami...) What a super fun weekend!! All part of my super duper birthday month extravaganza!!
HUGS!
1. How and why did you first start blogging? And how long have you been blogging?
When I first started researching Lap Band, I went to the Lap Band Talk website. I started a blog there and my biggest inspiration to continue blogging during that six months was Band Groupie. She went on to do her own blog on Blogger, but I was too intimidated to branch out like that. I remember reading everyone's blogs talking about going to the first BOOBs get together and I was jealous. :)
A year after my surgery, I decided that my blog had become very important to me so I ventured out to Blogger and set one up. Honestly, I really thought that only my mom would read it. :) Never did I imagine that I would have over 100 followers in less than 6 months. I can't believe anyone would want to read this...but then I remember how much I love reading everyone else's. Many of you out there I consider true friends and I ::heart:: you bunches!!
2. Tell me about your perfect mate – if you could invent him/her?
I have no idea. I THINK I would like a guy that could go to work in a professional environment and come home and get his hands dirty. I want someone that likes to get out and go, but also enjoys a nice quiet night at home every now and again. I want someone who likes to try new things and isn't stuck in a rut all the time. It would be super awesome if I found some who like going to the theater (almost) as much as going to sporting events, but think I have come to terms that won't happen. But maybe someone who would go to the theater (and enjoy it) every once in a while because he knows how much I love it.
I want someone that is kind but not clingy. Someone who is happy and looking for someone to enhance his life.
This all coming from a girl who has never really had a boyfriend, so there you go. Who knows.
3. Do you wear fake eyelashes? Do you want to? Do you use glue or self-stick ones? Do you like how they look?
I wore them once for a friend's wedding and I thought they looked cool. I wasn't able to put them on myself, my friend did it. But I think I could learn. I have decent lashes, so it isn't worth the hassle to me. But if they are done right, I think they look nice. Although, if they aren't done well, they can come off as drag queenesque.
4. Let’s say money was no object and neither was time off to recover – are you an advocate of plastic surgery after weight loss?
I don't know if I would say advocate, but I'm certainly not opposed to it. I think everyone has a different situation and they have to choose what is right for themselves. Right now, my plan is to wait a while and see what my body does. I don't have super big folds around my belly that would cause problems. I just have saggy skin everywhere that is cosmetically unappealing. If when all the dust settles, I want something done, then I will do it. I won't post it on my Facebook page or anything, but if asked, I'm sure I would tell.
5. Repeat question. Summarize your week in blog land and in real life.
• Blog life is good in that I feel I'm really getting to know quite a few people. My job and life have gotten in the way of reading regularly, but I try to keep up as much as possible. I'm sure people just love my 3 and 4 day old comments. :)
• Real life is AMAZING! We leave work this afternoon to go to the track for IndyCar qualifying. Tonight is the Truck race. Tomorrow I try CrossFit!! Then the IndyCar race is that night. Sunday morning I am a Eucharistic Minister at church (I should be wide awake for that!) then I'm cooking dinner for a couple of friends that are coming over to watch the Tony's (although some of it might be preempted for a little basketball game that is going on that night in Miami...) What a super fun weekend!! All part of my super duper birthday month extravaganza!!
HUGS!
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